Gateway Project
What Is the Gateway Project and Why Should You Know About It
THE GATEWAY PROJECT is comprised of two separate but coordinated proposed development projects along Colorado Boulevard, one at the First Avenue intersection in Cherry Creek North and Cherry Creek East and one at Bayaud Street intersection in Cherry Creek East. Both intersections are currently neglected areas (some would say “eyesores”) which should be enhanced to provide more appropriate “Gateways” into the Cherry Creek area. The unusual east Harrison Street block between Harrison Street and Colorado Boulevard has long presented redevelopment challenges due to the lack of an alley access and a large City setback requirement along Harrison and a ‘parkway’ setback along Colorado Blvd.
WHY NOW? For over a decade this land has needed development. Few developers have been willing to invest the time and money to negotiate a functional yet beautiful project here. Traffic, vehicular and pedestrian concerns, plus landscaping and a “Gateway” entrance concepts complicate any plan. The Cherry Creek Area Plan of 2012 contemplated redevelopment and it appears that, with neighborhood approval and proper zoning, it may at last be a possibility. The McKinnon Group acquired the property and worked extensively with the Cherry Creek East and Cherry Creek North residents and their RNO Boards to make sure that this important project met conditions that were of concern to the neighborhoods. The developer entered into agreements with both neighborhoods and the properties are now for sale as rezoned and entitled.
WHAT WILL THE NEW PROJECT ZONING ALLOW AND REQUIRE? The outline of the project on the north side of Colorado and 1st Avenue will ideally both protect the residential character of Cherry Creek North and improve the “Gateway” approach to the overall community by creating an inviting and safe entrance into the Cherry Creek area. The developer's agreements will keep the north parcel residential and provide for a more attractive gateway to the neighborhood and the Development Agreement proposes to work with the City of Denver and CDOT (the Colorado Department of Transportation) to reconfigure the intersection in order to provide a true “Gateway” area for the neighborhoods.
By reconfiguring the drive lanes to provide for pedestrian appropriate walk areas with tree lawns and Gateway location opportunities, this development provides the implementation of the vision of the Cherry Creek Area Plan. The CCNNA zoning committee, working with the developer and Cherry Creek East, reached Development Agreements with covenant protections, which attach to the land and were conditions to the rezoning.
BELOW ARE THE LINKS TO THE DEVELOPMENT PRESENTATIONS AND THE FINAL DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH ATTACHMENTS
CCNNA'S APPROVAL AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IS ATTACHED AT THE FOLLOWING LINK:
The following link will take you to the 2012 Cherry Creek Area Plan and the just-approved Denver Comprehensive Plan 2040. Both plans show current and planned zoning for CCN. Cherry Creek - Denver Community Planning and Development (denvergov.org)